Summerland Disaster - Aftermath

Aftermath

50 people died in the fire. The number of fatalities was worsened by the failure of power supplies and emergency generators, inadequate ventilation and locked fire doors. The death-toll brought about a public inquiry which ran from September 1973 to February 1974. No specific individuals or groups were blamed and the deaths were attributed to misadventure: the delay in evacuation and the flammable building materials were condemned. Changes to Building Regulations to improve fire safety were introduced. The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. Its charred steel skeleton remains were demolished in 1975 and then rebuilt on a smaller scale, construction commenced in 1976, with a lot less glass area than the original and with a highly advanced fire extinguisher and alarm system, it re-opened in 1978. It finally closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2005. The east wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse.